Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Feeding a child through pediatric feeding therapy

Great Strides and H2 Health Kids offer pediatric feeding therapy, customized to the needs of children. Whether your child refuses to try new food, has difficulty swallowing, needs help holding utensils, and anything in between, our therapy team is confident they can help your child become a happy eater.

Learn more about our specific programs, feeding developmental milestones, and what to do if your child does not meet these milestones.

Locations that offer Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Florida

Kentucky

Virginia

Texas

Is Your Child a Picky Eater?

Feeding therapy can help your child learn to like food and also be willing to try new foods. Feeding difficulties can become problematic if your child doesn’t get a variety of vitamins and nutrients in food. This could place your child at risk for weight loss. Common signs of a feeding disorder include:

  1. Refusal to try new foods
  2. Avoidance of various textures
  3. Tantrums at meal time
  4. Trouble chewing or swallowing
  5. Gagging or vomiting

What is Dysphasia?

Dysphagia is a term that means “difficulty swallowing.” It is the inability of food or liquids to pass easily from your child’s mouth, into the throat, and through the esophagus to the stomach. Common signs of a swallowing disorder are:

  • Runny nose
  • Watery eyes
  • Throat clearing while eating
  • Coughing or choking while eating
  • Wet sounding voice while eating

What Milestones Should My Child Be Hitting?

The First Year

  • 2-3 months: Breastfeeding or bottle feeding without choking, coughing, or gagging
  • 6 months: Eats small amounts of pureed baby food
  • 7-9 months: Eats mashed table food, self feed finger foods

Toddlers and Beyond

  • 15 months: Drinks from a cup or straw independently and eats a variety of soft, chopped table food
  • 1-2 years: Eats a variety of solid foods
  • 2-3 years: Drinks from an open cup and continues to add more fruits and veggies to their plate

SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY SCREENING

If you are concerned your child may not be hitting all of their milestones, come to the experts! We offer complimentary quick screenings to identify any concerns and create a plan to keep your kiddo on track.